"So, how much money did you make in your last performance, Sharena?" my cousin asked.

"You know I don't do this for the money, Cousin-Arlo. I play because I love doing it." I said, patting on my guitar case.

"Well, why not play at Echo Park? Have you ever played there?"

Thinking about what my officer cousin suggested, I shook my head no.

"No, I don't think I have." I said.

"Well, there's no time like the present." Arlo said.

I smiled at my cousin and we started making our way to Echo Park. Looking up at the beautiful sun above, I smiled as the sun's rays kissed my copper skin. Reaching our destination, I placed my case on a bench and opened it, admiring my royal blue, acoustic guitar. Taking it out, I placed the strap over my shoulder and strummed a chord. Leaving my case open on the ground, I began playing and singing a tune.

"Take all I have in these hands. And multiply, God, all that I am. And find my heart on the altar again. Set me on fire, set me on fire... Here I am, God. Arms wide open... Pouring out my life, Gracefully Broken..."

My singing and playing began to attract a small crowd. My eyes were fixated on my fingering, but I heard coins being dropped in the case. When I strummed my last chord, the crowd broke into applause.

"Thank you." I said humbly.

The crowd soon dispersed, and I continued to play.

"You have the voice of your mother." Arlo said, as he leaned against a nearby tree.

What he said set my heart a glow. Thinking of my late parents always made me feel happy. Remembering my mother's favorite song, I began to play it.

"I stand before You now. The greatness of your renown. I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you. King of Heaven, in humility, I bow. As Your love, in wave after wave. Crashes over me, crashes over me. For You are for us. You are not against us. Champion of Heaven, you made a way for all to enter in."

Just singing the song always brought tears to my eyes, but it's one of the ways I felt close to my mother. When I ended the song, I quickly wiped away the tears in my eyes.

I hate crying in public...

I then saw something white in front of my face. Seeing that it was a handkerchief, I took it and wiped my eyes.

"Thanks." I said.

Looking up, I saw the smiling face of my cousin.

"Well, you made a good amount of money." Arlo said, looking down into the guitar case.

I softly smiled and nodded. I sighed and began plucking the strings on my instrument, not really caring if I was playing a tune or not. Then, I saw some dollar bills flutter down into my case. I looked up and saw a young man with blonde, shaved sides, and pale skin. His eyes were light brown and had black earrings. He wore denim jeans with a thin, white shirt, making his abs very visible. He had dog-tags around his neck and red, black, and white sneakers.

~Lance's POV~

"Your voice is very pretty, and your playing is wonderful." I commented.

"Thank you..." she said sheepishly.

Smiling softly, she began to play some more, singing another song with her crystal voice.

"Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine. I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah!"

She continued to strum and hum the lyrics with a wide grin on her face. I smiled as I watched her play and sing. When she played the last chord, I broke into applause.

"That was amazing. I can't play the guitar or sing a song for the life of me." I joked.

She sheepishly smiled and a giggle escaped her lips.

"So, are you here alone?" I asked.

"No, sir. I'm here with my cousin." she said, pointing to a man leaning against a nearby tree.

I turned to the man and smiled when I recognized who it was.

"Arlo. Good to see you." I said.

Arlo stood up and shook my hand with a smile.

"Good to see you as well, Mr. Auburne." he said.

"Auburne?" the young lady asked.

Feeling a chill down my spine, I shook my head with a nervous smile.

"No, no. You are mistaken. He didn't say Auburne, he said... Sunburn! Yes, sunburn. Your cousin was just informing me that I had a sunburn... Yes..." I stuttered.

The young lady looked at me with a confused look.

If she knew who I was, she would be too scared to even look at me, and she looks like the shy and humble type. I don't want her to feel like I'm intimidating her.

"ARLO!" I heard a voice shout.

I turned around and saw the Assistant Mayor of LA, my father's right-hand-man, Barren Luke. He sighed and ran a hand through his red hair as he walked up to us.

"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on patrol," Barren said.

"With all due respect Barren, today's my day off." Arlo said.

"Well, as Assistant Mayor of Los Angeles, get patrolling!"

Arlo sighed and nodded.

"Sir, yes, sir." he muttered.

When he walked past his cousin, he shrugged with a defeated frown.

"And what are you doing here? Do you have a license for that guitar?" Barren asked.

"What? No. This is my guitar. I didn't know I needed a license for it..." the girl said humbly.

"She didn't know, she says... Well, you do." Barren said coldly.

The fear was clear as glass in the girl's eyes.

"That's enough, Barren." I said, standing in front of the girl.

Barren stared at me in bewilderment.

"What?" he asked darkly.

"Leave this young lady alone, or do I have to tell my father that you are harassing a citizen?" I asked.

I could practically see the fear and anger in his eyes.

"Fine..." Barren sighed.

Putting on his shades, he walked away from us. I sighed and turned back to the girl, who was placing her guitar in her case.

"Whoa, where are you going?" I asked.

"Home. If I'm not allowed to play in the open, I might as well play inside." she admitted.

A face of concern and disbelief was painted on my face. She threw her case over her shoulder and stood up.

She was a lot shorter than I was...

With a small smile, she began taking her leave with her head slightly bowed.

I hated seeing people who look so sad...

Putting on a brave face, I jogged up to her and began walking by her side.

"Hey, don't let him ruffle your feathers. You can play your guitar wherever you want," I said.

"Are you sure about that? 'Cause what he said sounded like I'm not allowed to play out in the open." she said.

"Trust me. He only acts like that because of his position."

A weary smile spread across the girl's face.

"I never thanked you for standing up for me. So, thank you. I've never met anyone who can stand up against Barren. Everyone is too afraid that he'll do something to them," she said.

"No thanks is necessary. I don't like Barren myself... I know it's not any of my business, but I never got your name. Mind telling me?" I asked.

"Oh, my name's Sharena. Sharena Beyevell. What's yours?"

"My name is-"

My sentence got cut off when my phone rang. I took it out of my pocket and answered the call.

"Hello? Yes, I'm aware..." I said.

I glanced at Sharena and grinned at her.

"Yes, I do... I'll be there, trust me. I'm just going to be a little late." I said.

Ending the call with a goodbye, I turned to Sharena and smiled.

"Sorry, I have to go," I said.

"Oh, that's okay. Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Yes, everything's fine. I'm certain you can make it home on your own, right?"

"Yup."

With a final smile, she began walking towards the park's exit. Her long, brown hair fluttered in the wind, and the orange sun made her copper skin glow. I sighed silently with content and began to take my leave as well. Sharena's smiling face appeared in my mind and I couldn't help but smile myself.

I think it's for the best she doesn't know my name...